ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical effects of staged repair for severe tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and to investigate a better individual treatment of TOF. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 110 children with TOF in our hospital from January 2009 through December 2014. The patients were divided into a severe TOF group (Group A, n=23) and a mild TOF group (Group B, n=87). In the group A, all 23 patients underwent staged surgery (modified Blalock-Taussig and radical operation of TOF). In the Group B, all 87 patients only received a radical operation of TOF. The patients' preoperative and postoperative arterial oxygen saturation, McGoon ratio, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), the results of perioperation and follow-up were compared. ResultsIn the group A, there was no death after modified Blalock-Taussig (MBT). The median interval time between MBTs and radical operation was 9 months (ranged from 6.3 to 25.3 months). Compared with that before MBTs, the McGoon ratio and LVEDVI were significantly increased at the time of radical operation. And the pulmonary artery development and left ventricle volume reached the standard of radical operation of TOF (P < 0.01). After the radical operation, one patient died for pneumonia in the early postoperation period. In the group B, three patients died for low cardiac output syndrome during perioperation. There was no significant difference between the group A and the group B in in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, ventilation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, rate of using trans-annular repair path, or drainage of pleural fluid. ConclusionStaged repair of severe TOF is safe and effective for children, who are not suitable for one-stage radical operation. Severe TOF received staged repair can achieve the similar outcomes with that of mild TOF underwent one-stage radical operation.